After passing the Black Wolf Valley, I went north for two days and finally arrived at the Empress Dowager Qin's Cishi.
Looking at the low and dilapidated Tucheng in the distance, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.
This is the only town in Yidi.
The land around Yicheng has become extremely deserted. , occasionally you can see a few low trees.
There were no guards guarding the gate of Yicheng.
It took a long time to see two common people leading camels out of the city.
Zu Cheng has decided to leave Yingzong since the Battle of Black Wolf Valley.
He and the thirty-seven brothers he brought have all become my subordinates.
Zu Cheng knew the local customs very well and said to me in a low voice: "Sir, this is Yicheng.
The only town in your territory is here."
I frowned and said, "What's the population of Yicheng?"
Zu Cheng smiled and said: "There used to be thousands of people, but with the shortage of water here, the erosion of wind and sand, and the frequent invasions of the Quanrong people, there are probably only a few hundred people left now."
I couldn't help but wonder: "What do they do for a living?"
"This Yicheng used to be a transfer station for the Quanrong.
The business travelers from both sides would definitely pass through here when they went to the other country to trade.
When the Yicheng was most prosperous, the relationship between Qin and the Quanrong was the most harmonious.
Later, Zu Cheng sighed: "With the deterioration of the relationship between the two parties and the barrenness of this place, it has actually become a land without one."
I whispered: "Isn't there no Qin army stationed here?"
Zucheng pointed to the east direction and said: "About a hundred miles east of Yicheng, there is a military camp with five hundred soldiers and five thousand hard laborers.
They are responsible for quarrying stone from Beiliang Mountain, chiseling it into cubes, and transporting it to Qin South of the country.”
Ying Lian smiled and said: "I have also heard that the best stones in Da Qin come from Beiliang Mountain."
Zu Chengdao: "Actually, Beiliang Mountain also belongs to Yidi, but because it became a labor place for prisoners, it became relatively hostile."
Entering the city, I saw that the buildings and roads in the city were all in dilapidated condition.
As far as I could see, they were all low-rise houses.
You could see the street at a glance.
There was only a dilapidated flag flying on the street.
The letter to the wine shop was quite straightforward.
Clearly.
Ge Feng couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Isn't there even an official in this place?"
Zu Chengdao: "I came here once the year before last.
There should be a post station on the right turn at the intersection in front of me.
There was also a postmaster living there at that time."
I said loudly: "Go there and have a look."
I followed Zu Cheng and rode toward the inn.
When I got closer, I realized that the so-called inn was just three dilapidated earthen houses.
An old man was sitting in front of the door.
He was dozing lazily, and there was a yellow native dog beside him, lying there and basking in the sun.
Zucheng recognized the old man as Yi Cheng Lingxu and said loudly: "Lingxu" The old man opened his cloudy eyes and looked at us confusedly.
It took him a long time to recognize the composition: "You are General Zu."
Zu Cheng smiled and said, "It's me.
It's rare that you can recognize me."
He pointed at me and said, "This is the new owner of Yidi, our prince-consort."
Ling Xu looked at me and couldn't help but laugh: "You're bullying me, I'm an old fool.
How could my prince-in-law be sent to this place where birds can't poop and chickens can't lay eggs?"
Zu Cheng said angrily: "Lingxu, don't be rude.
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How can I be in the mood to lie to you and why don't you pay tribute to the young master quickly?"
Ling Xu chuckled and said, "I'm no longer a prince.
The reason why I stay here is just because I can't bear to live in this place.
I'm used to living there."
He looked at me with both eyes: "You are the prince, sir."
Anyway, since I’m sealed here, I’m obviously not favored by the king.”
I couldn't help but smile and said: "The old gentleman is indeed not confused yet."
Ling Xu said: "There are only more than 200 people in this city, which may not be as many as the people you brought.
Although the houses in the city are dilapidated, they can still be lived in.
If you want to stay, you can find them wherever you want."
If you want to live in a vacant house, no one will ask you to pay the money and food anyway."
He paused and then said: "You want to collect the money and food, but there is none here.
At most, the remaining population of Yicheng will be wiped out.
Everyone will Take two shots."
The old man is quite interesting.
Zucheng helplessly shook his head at me, and I turned my horse back to the avenue.
At this time, several residents of Yicheng quietly came to the street and looked at us.
It had been a long time since they had seen such a bright and neat Qin Dynasty. military.
I ordered loudly: "Everyone, go and patrol the city.
Try not to disturb the local residents.
Let's settle down first."
After a morning of inspection, I finally found that the west side of the city was almost completely empty.
The reason was very simple.
The wall on the west side had collapsed, and the northwest wind swept the gravel and blew it in here without any obstruction.
Would love to live here.
We people quickly cleaned up the available houses, and selected the best courtyard for Ying Lian and I to live in.
Although it still had earthen walls, the walls were intact after all.
There were seven houses in the courtyard, and there were stables on the north side.
According to reports, It was the place where the richest family in Yicheng originally lived.
Later, due to the decline of business, they could not stand the wind and sand here, so their family went to the south of Qin State, and this place was naturally abandoned.
Xie Qing, Xie Ni Shu'er all came down with their veils on.
The wind and sand were so strong that for those like me who didn't take any protective measures, my face was already covered with dust in an instant.
Ying Lian took several maids to tidy up the courtyard.
Ge Feng settled in the courtyard adjacent to me, the Detachment of Women was stationed in a large private house on our south side, and Zu Cheng, with his brothers and the male warriors around me, were stationed on our north side.
There was only one usable well in the whole city.
Zu Cheng led his soldiers to Dashui, while Fu Ling went to the market in the city to buy food from the residents.
Ge Feng and I took this opportunity to patrol along the walls of Yicheng.
Ge Feng smiled bitterly and said: "We can't stay in this place for a long time.
Even if the dog soldiers don't come to attack, the wind and sand alone will be enough for us."
I smiled and said, "Let's settle down first.
I heard Zucheng say that a hundred miles east of here is Beiliang Mountain, where the wind and sand will be much lighter.
A hundred miles north of Yicheng is the pasture of the Quanrong people.
It's the same place.
A place with lush vegetation.”
Ge Feng smiled and said: "Do you want to be a horse thief and rob the Dog Rong people?"
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I smiled and said, "If we run out of water and food, it doesn't matter if we become robbers."
Ge Feng said: "I heard that although Yicheng is poor, the Quanrong people still come to harass us from time to time.
I am afraid that they will come to rob us before we can rob them."
I laughed and said: "Yicheng is poor and useless, what else do they have to rob?"
"Women and horses are tempting prey for horse thieves."
Ge Feng's reminder made my heart tremble, and my newly relaxed mood suddenly became tense.
We came to Yicheng with such a great momentum, and the Quanrong people would not be unaware of it.
They took advantage of our unsteady position to come forward.
It is not impossible to plunder, it seems that we must be more vigilant and nip it in the bud.
Ge Feng said: "Don't worry, I will lead people to garrison tonight."
I nodded slowly and said: "We will start repairing the gaps in the west city tomorrow.
The city is very small, so it won't take much effort to repair the city wall."
Ge Feng said: "Even if the repair is completed, it is just an earthen wall and will not have much effect."
As soon as night fell, the whole city fell into silence.
The wind and sand were raging outside.
The people of Yi city closed their doors and windows early and went inside to avoid the sand and dust.
I also returned to my yard, only to see that there was another layer of sand and dust on the ground that had just been cleaned.
Xie Qing and Shu Er both covered their mouths and noses with white gauze, and they came up to me and took me to the kitchen.
There were two large bowls of dishes that had just been prepared on the stove.
Ying Lian was learning how to cook with Xie Ni.
Her pretty face became more and more beautiful due to the heat of the fire.
When she saw me coming in, she left with a smile.
Come here and take off my outer cloak: "Go and wash your face quickly.
We can eat soon."
I washed the dust off my face, and they had already brought the dishes to the low table.
To my surprise, there was also a bowl of fragrant beef.
To be able to see meat and fish in a poor place like Yicheng was nothing short of a huge treat. surprise.
I took a piece and put it in my mouth.
The aroma was so tempting that I couldn't help but curiously said, "It doesn't seem to be beef."
Ying Lian smiled gently and said: "I asked them to kill a few horses.
Today is our first day in Yicheng.
We can't let our men go hungry."
Looking at Ying Lian's smile, I suddenly felt a sadness in my heart.
She was willing to give up her life of fine clothing and fine food, and ran with me to this far away place.
There is no need to explain her deep love for me.
Sisters Xie Ni and Xie Qing also spent a long time together.
I lost a lot of weight during the journey.
If it weren't for me, how could they have suffered so much?
I pursed my lips hard and whispered: "Don't worry, this life won't last long."
Ying Lian said softly: "I hope this kind of life can last forever."
Also a general idea
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